My review on ESPN NFL Football

**Holt88** · 09-06-2003

First off with the graphics I noticed they weren't up to par with NFL2K series on the Dreamcast. Helmets look weird and the bodys also, Madden has the best player models hands down. The linemen are skinny on NFL2K4, why is that? Fevers graphics are nice, but player models aren't Madden has the better out of the 3.

Now gameplay. It's not bad, but a little too fast and I don't like all of the animations, 1 hand catches I see alot and they don't drop them. Running game is great, so is passing. Don't like the way players run either, Madden comes away with this, more life like and more realistic but ESPN isn't far behind and gameplay is still fun. Defense is also nice, you can assign Champ Bailey to cover Randy Moss the whole game if you'd like, major points there for Sega. That's something Madden is missing, it only has CB swap but you have no idea where the WR's will be lining up. I also don't like the QB roll out, need to get rid of that, they zoom out of the pocket real fast and have enough time to stand there, not good, does get annoying.

In terms of control and the feel of the game, it's not bad but in Madden I feel as I have more control over everything that happens with "play maker" and using players skills like Urlachers 89 speed to my advantage changing the game because of that.

With presentation, ESPN is really nice but it's just a matter of time when it wears off, but it still is nice to view video clips from other games around the league and Chris Berman talking along with the full ESPN Sunday Night Football style. Really good, colorful and makes it much more exciting to play a game.

ESPN is a really good game, is it sim like? Yeah it is but not as close to Madden. ESPN has a little arcade in it. But it doesn't take away from it, just makes it exciting. Like I said the graphics aren't as good as they should be, me being a former Dreamcast owner and remembering the really wonderful graphics and textures of the 2k series, but with this, just doesn't stand out as much, but they are good enough to please people.

I'm a Madden fan and I rented this game and I say either Madden or ESPN is a good choice, you're not going to be disappointed getting either one. Madden is total sim, ESPN is sim with a little arcade. 2 new things for each game, Madden has owner mode and then the full ESPN style. Both are the total package I believe and owning both would make it all that much better.

They are a tie in my book. And are very hard to judge because they are 2 differnt games, way differnt. If you're not sure, rent both of them and see which one you like.

**CarGuy** · 09-07-2003

The linemen are skinny?? WTF?

You wont be writing for any gaming publications anytime soon.

**NPYYZ** · 09-07-2003

Originally posted by Holt88
First off with the graphics I noticed they weren't up to par with NFL2K series on the Dreamcast. Helmets look weird and the bodys also, Madden has the best player models hands down. The linemen are skinny on NFL2K4, why is that? Fevers graphics are nice, but player models aren't Madden has the better out of the 3.

Now gameplay. It's not bad, but a little too fast and I don't like all of the animations, 1 hand catches I see alot and they don't drop them. Running game is great, so is passing. Don't like the way players run either, Madden comes away with this, more life like and more realistic but ESPN isn't far behind and gameplay is still fun. Defense is also nice, you can assign Champ Bailey to cover Randy Moss the whole game if you'd like, major points there for Sega. That's something Madden is missing, it only has CB swap but you have no idea where the WR's will be lining up. I also don't like the QB roll out, need to get rid of that, they zoom out of the pocket real fast and have enough time to stand there, not good, does get annoying.

In terms of control and the feel of the game, it's not bad but in Madden I feel as I have more control over everything that happens with "play maker" and using players skills like Urlachers 89 speed to my advantage changing the game because of that.

With presentation, ESPN is really nice but it's just a matter of time when it wears off, but it still is nice to view video clips from other games around the league and Chris Berman talking along with the full ESPN Sunday Night Football style. Really good, colorful and makes it much more exciting to play a game.

ESPN is a really good game, is it sim like? Yeah it is but not as close to Madden. ESPN has a little arcade in it. But it doesn't take away from it, just makes it exciting. Like I said the graphics aren't as good as they should be, me being a former Dreamcast owner and remembering the really wonderful graphics and textures of the 2k series, but with this, just doesn't stand out as much, but they are good enough to please people.

I'm a Madden fan and I rented this game and I say either Madden or ESPN is a good choice, you're not going to be disappointed getting either one. Madden is total sim, ESPN is sim with a little arcade. 2 new things for each game, Madden has owner mode and then the full ESPN style. Both are the total package I believe and owning both would make it all that much better.

They are a tie in my book. And are very hard to judge because they are 2 differnt games, way differnt. If you're not sure, rent both of them and see which one you like.

You must be reviewing a dirrerent game then the one I got. ESPN Football 2K4 blows Madden 2004 away in every area.

If you think Madden is a realistic and fluid you are in fantasy land. Madden player movements would be very realistic if they had hockey sticks in their hands. It's like playing football on ice. Madden presents no challange when playing against the computer, even on the most difficult level. I have played the Madden series since it began, yes I have played Madden every year and it has not been a decent game since "99". I returned my copy of Madden 2004 after playing half a season, it got so mind numbingly boring I couldn't stand it. I'm sorry but Madden is total crap and has been since 2000.

With ESPN you need some real football knowledge or you will not be sucessfull at it. In plain English, you can't play ESPN the way you play Madden. In Madden you can complete a long bomb for a score on every play. ESPN is by far the best football game out now. The Graphics, presentation, gameplay are all very true to life, If you want real football , a game where you need to know how to read a defensive and offensive formation, where you need to use more then one play to score, where every thing about the game of real football is "IN THE GAME" you want ESPN FOOTBALL 2K4 . But if you want to be able to change the price of a friggin hotdog , by all means waste your $50.00 on Madden again this year.

**ARONO129** · 09-07-2003

Originally posted by Holt88
First off with the graphics I noticed they weren't up to par with NFL2K series on the Dreamcast. Helmets look weird and the bodys also, Madden has the best player models hands down. The linemen are skinny on NFL2K4, why is that? Fevers graphics are nice, but player models aren't Madden has the better out of the 3.

Now gameplay. It's not bad, but a little too fast and I don't like all of the animations, 1 hand catches I see alot and they don't drop them. Running game is great, so is passing. Don't like the way players run either, Madden comes away with this, more life like and more realistic but ESPN isn't far behind and gameplay is still fun. Defense is also nice, you can assign Champ Bailey to cover Randy Moss the whole game if you'd like, major points there for Sega. That's something Madden is missing, it only has CB swap but you have no idea where the WR's will be lining up. I also don't like the QB roll out, need to get rid of that, they zoom out of the pocket real fast and have enough time to stand there, not good, does get annoying.

In terms of control and the feel of the game, it's not bad but in Madden I feel as I have more control over everything that happens with "play maker" and using players skills like Urlachers 89 speed to my advantage changing the game because of that.

With presentation, ESPN is really nice but it's just a matter of time when it wears off, but it still is nice to view video clips from other games around the league and Chris Berman talking along with the full ESPN Sunday Night Football style. Really good, colorful and makes it much more exciting to play a game.

ESPN is a really good game, is it sim like? Yeah it is but not as close to Madden. ESPN has a little arcade in it. But it doesn't take away from it, just makes it exciting. Like I said the graphics aren't as good as they should be, me being a former Dreamcast owner and remembering the really wonderful graphics and textures of the 2k series, but with this, just doesn't stand out as much, but they are good enough to please people.

I'm a Madden fan and I rented this game and I say either Madden or ESPN is a good choice, you're not going to be disappointed getting either one. Madden is total sim, ESPN is sim with a little arcade. 2 new things for each game, Madden has owner mode and then the full ESPN style. Both are the total package I believe and owning both would make it all that much better.

They are a tie in my book. And are very hard to judge because they are 2 differnt games, way differnt. If you're not sure, rent both of them and see which one you like.

I traded Madden 2004 and I'm still waiting for ESPN Football. The graphics in Madden are the same as in 2003. Most of the skin tones are off in Madden 2004. The doll eye effect that the players have doesn't help the graphics much nor does the graphics of the whispering referee.

The custom camera is great until you realize that you can't pull the camera back for a quick view of the formation like you can with all the other camera angles.

Now lets talk about the horrible playcalling\stats screen combined with the on-field camera. The playcalling\stats screen takes up 50% of the screen leaving a small window for the on-field action. What really makes this concept even more lousy is that 9 out of 10 replays are shown in that small screen. That leaves you with no sense of the action. Look at when a player runs the ball in for a TD. You can't even see the football in the replay.

IMO. Madden sucks. Skip it.

**Seawolf1** · 09-08-2003

Sorry, but I rented Maddan for a week prior to getting ESPN 2K4 and the ESPN version is the best of the two games hands down IMO. I have not played this years version of fever so I cant comment on that one, but EA needs to step it up if they want to remain king of the Football genre next year. The only reason Maddan has the popularity it does is because EA is a marketing monster. There are freakin EA Maddan2004 banners and ads everywhere. Even ESPN has a EA Maddan sponsored NFL show on TV and ESPN has its own Football game now. LOL Now thats a marketing monster right there. lol
I hope the word spreads on ESPN and we start to see EA step it up and Sega continue to challenge them. It only makes things good for us in the long run. It means better games.

**Holt88** · 09-08-2003

ESPN isn't even up to Maddens level. They don't even represent how the team plays. I know football and ESPN is mixed with arcade in it, so don't deny it. You're talking about Maddens graphics when ESPN is a downgrade from DREAMCAST.

The tackles aren't as good and in Madden you realize that the tackler is not always laying on the ground. Qb's are too fast. Nothing on ESPN even touches Owner mode.

Why did Madden 2004 get in the HOF? Because it's a great game and people love it, because it's "realistic". Don't give me any of the "Oh it's John Madden what do you expect". Sorry don't use any excuses.

Throw a long bomb on every play? Stop playing on rookie and adjust sliders, it's that easy or you just skip through everything.

Gameplay isn't up to Madden, it's that easy. You can run with Kurt Warner in ESPN but no in Madden. The graphics aren't better in ESPN then Madden.

You tell me why there was such a high demand for the game. Why break something apart that people like? ESPN has downgraded the game since Dreamcast.

More fluid in ESPN? Sorry the way they run and how things go at times, It sure isn't all that fun to watch. Too many people are stuck on the whole ESPN thing, and that'll die out in a week.

Where do you see cartoon eyes? http://pcmedia.ign.com/pc/image/madd...082003_010.jpg

You call ESPN graphics true to life? That's one of the funniest things I've heard.

What did they do just add in ESPN and crib mode and have the nerve to call it better? No way. And they said the first person mode was a Madden killer? Not really, because Madden had that before but never worked and doesn't work with ESPN either.

When you get outsold by a crap load, you have alot of explaining to do. But ESPN hasn't delivered yet.

Regardless of that, ESPN is jerky and it's easy to see that.

You say ESPN is true to life but you have to press the same button to fill up you're power for better moves while at the same time slows you down? Doesn't sound realistic to me.

**CarGuy** · 09-08-2003

Sorry dude, your credibility was ruined when you said a bunch of lies and B.S. in your first post. Skinny linemen.. mmmmk..

**Holt88** · 09-08-2003

Really? http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/sports/n...s.html?page=95 Take a look, I'm not the one with the eye problems. That's Coleman who plays guard and weighs 322 lbs. Does he look big? No. Skinny lineman, get the player models right.

**CrazyCougar** · 09-08-2003

Funny! Thats a PS2 screenshot man. Use an xbox screenshot to prove yer point. I have to say I think the lineman are not skinny, by what I have seen so far.

**ARONO129** · 09-08-2003

I got ESPN today and it's slick. Madden is just sick.

Where do I see doll eyes? In Madden 2004. Madden better graphically? I guess all refs are supposed to look like E.T. with laryngitis. The players skin tones are way off. But of course the small replay screen tries to hide that.

The A.I. in Madden '04 isn't even as good as last years. And why did EA make it that when you use the customizable camera you can't even pull it back to see the way the teams line up?

And the pre and post game presentation is the same every game. Boring. Very boring.

Madden '04 is about as exciting as Madden's commentary. Sad when the most thrilling part of the game is changing the price of parking.

**Holt88** · 09-08-2003

Originally posted by ARONO129
I got ESPN today and it's slick. Madden is just sick.

Where do I see doll eyes? In Madden 2004. Madden better graphically? I guess all refs are supposed to look like E.T. with laryngitis. The players skin tones are way off. But of course the small replay screen tries to hide that.

The A.I. in Madden '04 isn't even as good as last years. And why did EA make it that when you use the customizable camera you can't even pull it back to see the way the teams line up?

And the pre and post game presentation is the same every game. Boring. Very boring.

Madden '04 is about as exciting as Madden's commentary. Sad when the most thrilling part of the game is changing the price of parking.

I dont' see doll eyes, maybe it's your tv. A.I. isn't as good? EA improved it, stop lying to yourself. You're point is the pre and post game presentation is boring? ESPN will die off in a week and nobody will care because it gets repeative.

Sad, that they still get outsold by so many copies, it's not even funny.:o

**CrazyCougar** · 09-08-2003

Madden will always sell more copies because it is a name branded into our minds after over 13 years. Selling more copies doesnt mean its a better game at all. ESPN will put up a good amount of copies sold this year, just due to the ESPN advertising and promotion. As many as Madden? No, of course not. But the gap is closing.

Its like comparing the PS2 and Xbox sales. One has been around longer, of course its going to have more sales. But the other is catching on.

**ARONO129** · 09-08-2003

Originally posted by Holt88

I dont' see doll eyes, maybe it's your tv. A.I. isn't as good? EA improved it, stop lying to yourself. You're point is the pre and post game presentation is boring? ESPN will die off in a week and nobody will care because it gets repeative.

Sad, that they still get outsold by so many copies, it's not even funny.:o

Son there is nothing wrong with my TV set but I do suggest you remove your nose from EA's behind.

Troll if you must. I'll be playing and enjoying ESPN so I won't have time to respond to your regurgitation. Other's will be enjoying ESPN Football on Live. Happy hot dog sales.

**Holt88** · 09-09-2003

Originally posted by CrazyCougar-XBA
Madden will always sell more copies because it is a name branded into our minds after over 13 years. Selling more copies doesnt mean its a better game at all. ESPN will put up a good amount of copies sold this year, just due to the ESPN advertising and promotion. As many as Madden? No, of course not. But the gap is closing.

Its like comparing the PS2 and Xbox sales. One has been around longer, of course its going to have more sales. But the other is catching on.

No excuses. People buy it because it's realistic and there's a reason it's in the HOF and ESPN isn't.

**Holt88** · 09-09-2003

Originally posted by ARONO129

Son there is nothing wrong with my TV set but I do suggest you remove your nose from EA's behind.

Troll if you must. I'll be playing and enjoying ESPN so I won't have time to respond to your regurgitation. Other's will be enjoying ESPN Football on Live. Happy hot dog sales.

There is something wrong with you're tv if you cannot see it, not my problem.

**CrazyCougar** · 09-09-2003

Can we say Holt = Madden Fanboy? Obviously. And only time will tell how ESPN fares against the establish name (due to experience, not content) of Madden.

We shall see, we shall see.

**Casper** · 09-09-2003

Madden more resembles it's older games than ESPN does of the DC series - you can't even compare how ESPN's graphics look compared to those of a game that was out 3 years ago. One huge difference is bump mapping. The player models in Madden have clothes hangers for shoulders, they all walk around like they have a stick up their rears. ESPN's players look so amazing and with the new animations on the plays, I can actually see my guy make the slightest move to break off a tackle.

As far as Madden's other spots go, since you seem to be so in key on it. The running game, has and always will be, slow and sluggish. You can't break away from a tackle and it feels like your guys are moving in wet cement. I'm not going to bicker about everything with that dam game, but I am happy that I was able to scam EA for a free game.

Btw, how long will it take Madden to realize that the real way to make the control setup is so that it's similar between offense and defense, not the total reverse like they have always used.

ESPN - best sport game I've ever played
Madden is like Tony Siragusa - overhyped and still gets love from the NFL, for no dam reason.

**RudedogX** · 09-09-2003

All I've gotta say is read the review that even Gamespot gave ESPN football. If you don't want to read it, I'll put the synopsis here:

While Madden is the most realistic-playing football game on the market, ESPN NFL Football is simply the most exciting football game on the planet. - Ryan Mac Donald Gamespot

In other words, yes, madden may be realistic, but realism does not always make the best game. Normally Gamespot is all about Madden and not quite so much about ESPN (or sega), yet suddenly, this year, they've changed their tune. Ya think that's because ESPN is actually the better game?!

**Holt88** · 09-09-2003

Originally posted by Casper-XBA
Madden more resembles it's older games than ESPN does of the DC series - you can't even compare how ESPN's graphics look compared to those of a game that was out 3 years ago. One huge difference is bump mapping. The player models in Madden have clothes hangers for shoulders, they all walk around like they have a stick up their rears. ESPN's players look so amazing and with the new animations on the plays, I can actually see my guy make the slightest move to break off a tackle.

As far as Madden's other spots go, since you seem to be so in key on it. The running game, has and always will be, slow and sluggish. You can't break away from a tackle and it feels like your guys are moving in wet cement. I'm not going to bicker about everything with that dam game, but I am happy that I was able to scam EA for a free game.

Btw, how long will it take Madden to realize that the real way to make the control setup is so that it's similar between offense and defense, not the total reverse like they have always used.

ESPN - best sport game I've ever played
Madden is like Tony Siragusa - overhyped and still gets love from the NFL, for no dam reason.

Um yeah, there is a difference in speed. ESPN resembles college football speed and Madden NFL. ESPN is the most over hyped game.

In the HOF, sells more and just overall better, live with it.